Which of these statements about speleothem growth is true?

Which of these statements about speleothem growth is true?

• A. It requires extreme heat for formation
• B. It occurs from repeated freezing and thawing
• C. It accumulates from dissolved calcite
• D. It is found only in dry regions

Answer: (C)

Speleothem growth primarily involves the accumulation of minerals that precipitate from mineral-rich water as it drips through caves. When water seeps into caves from the surface, it often contains dissolved calcium carbonate, or calcite. When this mineral-rich water drips into the cave system, the carbon dioxide that is present can escape into the atmosphere, leading to a decrease in solubility of the calcite. Consequently, calcite precipitates out of the solution, resulting in the formation of speleothems such as stalactites and stalagmites over time. This process can occur in a variety of cave environments and is not limited by heat conditions or geographic regions. The other options suggest incorrect conditions for speleothem growth, such as the necessity of extreme heat, the requirement of freeze-thaw cycles, or the limitation to dry regions, all of which do not accurately describe how speleothems form.

Speleothem growth primarily involves the accumulation of minerals that precipitate from mineral-rich water as it drips through caves. When water seeps into caves from the surface, it often contains dissolved calcium carbonate, or calcite. When this mineral-rich water drips into the cave system, the carbon dioxide that is present can escape into the atmosphere, leading to a decrease in solubility of the calcite. Consequently, calcite precipitates out of the solution, resulting in the formation of speleothems such as stalactites and stalagmites over time. This process can occur in a variety of cave environments and is not limited by heat conditions or geographic regions.

The other options suggest incorrect conditions for speleothem growth, such as the necessity of extreme heat, the requirement of freeze-thaw cycles, or the limitation to dry regions, all of which do not accurately describe how speleothems form.